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'Back door appointments, embezzlement in Culture Academy'
Whistle blower knocks court's door for pension withheld by JU
11/9/2011 12:24:37 AM
Sumit Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 8: In what could be described as 'official witch hunting', a Right To Information (RTI) activist's pensionary benefits have been with held by his employer for daring to spill the beans of alleged back door appointments and embezzlement in J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
The RTI activist Anil Saraf of Upper Bazar near Gadadhar Mandir, Jammu retired from Institute of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA), Jammu, under the aegis of Culture Academy, on June 30, 2009 as instructor, however after his superannuation the Institute was taken over by Jammu University (JU).
In the meantime Saraf lodged a complaint on the basis of information collected under RTI to the Chief Minister, who also happens to be the president of the Academy, regarding alleged financial irregularities, embezzlement, back door appointments and corruption in his parent organisation i.e. Culture Academy.
Anil Saraf in his complaint apprised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that back door appointments were allegedly being made under his nose allegedly by Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Divisional Office, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu.
A copy of the said complaint was also forwarded to Inspector General of Police, Crime, PHQ, Srinagar.
Acting on the complaint, IGP Crime's office through letter No CHQ/CLT/J/258/11-9601, dated 28-7-2011 directed Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch Jammu to hold inquiry against the official under question.
But, ironically, the same person is named as one of the candidates for the post of Secretary in the same department, alleged Anil.
After his whistle blowing act, the complainant Saraf's woes started to unfold as Jammu University, which by virtue of taking over the IMFA had become his employer, withheld his pension on the complaint allegedly lodged on behalf of the Additional Secretary of the Academy.
In the complaint against the whistle blower by the Academy official it was alleged that he (Saraf) took loan of lakhs of rupees by forging the signature of Addl Secretary Savita Bakshi though no copy of FIR was attached with the complaint for its authenticity.
Knocking the door of court , Anil prayed for restoration of his pension benefits stating no criminal proceedings was being initiated against him during his tenure in J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. The same reason was cited to the Jammu University which has withheld his pension.
This is not the first time that a RTI activist was put to harassment over his stand to expose higher ups.
Earlier, a police constable who filed application to PHQ through an RTI application for getting first hand information of selection of women in police department as per SRO rules, was attached to Srinagar and faced persecution from the then SHO, Police Station Pacca Danga for his 'offensive' act.
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